Mission U.S. is an interactive web-based U.S. History game developed by PBS. It integrates video and game technology with primary sources from U.S. History. PBS created the game for the children of today, "digital natives" who may or may not watch TV. The presenter spoke about the fact that many of today's students get all of their video from the internet and not from TV, so they created this "non-broadcast" game with these students in mind.
The target audience is middle school, but after exploring the game after the webinar, I think it could be appropriate for students from fourth grade through possible ninth grade. The game is a lot of fun, interactive, and could serve as a supplement to or replacement for text-book information. It provides students with the experience of reading and using primary sources from the colonial period which I know is not the norm in most classrooms.
The game is tied to national standards, incorporates essential questions such as "Why is point of view important?" when teaching about the two sides involved in the American Revolution, and is embedded with a great deal of high level vocabulary. The program includes writing prompts and requires critical thinking about the scenarios presented.
This is a very exciting program which I cannot wait to share with the teachers in our upper elementary grades and middle school. It seems like a program which would appeal to reluctant or struggling readers and writers and brings American History to life in a way that should grab the attention of most students.
Mission U.S.
Mission U.S. is an interactive web-based U.S. History game developed by PBS. It integrates video and game technology with primary sources from U.S. History. PBS created the game for the children of today, "digital natives" who may or may not watch TV. The presenter spoke about the fact that many of today's students get all of their video from the internet and not from TV, so they created this "non-broadcast" game with these students in mind.
The target audience is middle school, but after exploring the game after the webinar, I think it could be appropriate for students from fourth grade through possible ninth grade. The game is a lot of fun, interactive, and could serve as a supplement to or replacement for text-book information. It provides students with the experience of reading and using primary sources from the colonial period which I know is not the norm in most classrooms.
The game is tied to national standards, incorporates essential questions such as "Why is point of view important?" when teaching about the two sides involved in the American Revolution, and is embedded with a great deal of high level vocabulary. The program includes writing prompts and requires critical thinking about the scenarios presented.
This is a very exciting program which I cannot wait to share with the teachers in our upper elementary grades and middle school. It seems like a program which would appeal to reluctant or struggling readers and writers and brings American History to life in a way that should grab the attention of most students.